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Topic: Shake with mites, shake (Read 1559 times)

Peng et al. (1987) observed that A. cerana has a strong defense mechanism against Varroa jacobsoni. When A. cerana workers were artificially infested with varroa females, 99% succeeded in ridding themselves of the parasite by performing body movements that expelled or removed it from their body. It was also observed that many of the mites that left the host worker were killed by the infested worker itself or its fellow workers. Defense mechanisms against the mite similar to those of Apis cerana have been identified in Africanized bees. Moretto et al. (1993) observed that 40% of Africanized bees rid themselves of the parasite when workers of 20 Africanized bee colonies were artificially infested. Correa-Marques (1996), in a study of mites collected from the bottom of Africanized bee colonies, noted the occurrence of mutilations in several parts of their body, indicating possible attacks by the workers.

I've read you can encourage this grooming instinct in all bees by covering them in icing suger - which makes them stop and groom themsleves, and other bees. Provided you use an open mesh floors, during this process the mites fall and do not return.

It's been discussed on this forum before. I don't have any links to research though.